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WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

post #1 of 31
11/10/08 at 7:08am
Thread Starter 
Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies Partner for TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection


Burbank, Calif., November 10, 2008 – Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, the studio with the world’s largest film library, is beginning an exciting new partnership with the authority in classic film, Turner Classic Movies. The two companies – sister divisions of Time Warner – plan to introduce the TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection, starting in early 2009. The partners will release a collection of 60 top films in 15 themed groups. The films will be available on DVD and promoted on TCM, starting February 3 with the first of four waves.

The launch of the TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection stands as the largest-ever partnership between Warner Home Video and TCM. The initiative combines the strengths of the companies in serving both serious film buffs and a new generation of movie lovers. The TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection is meant to whet the appetite of a wide range of film fans, giving them an easy way to build a personal library of classic films.

For the TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection, Warner Home Video has selected some of the greatest American films from the past 85 years and grouped them by themes. The films are packaged in four-title sets with each set affordably priced at $27.92 SRP.

The first installments in the collection arrive February 3, 2009, with three genres timed to coincide with Valentine’s Day and the Oscar® season. They are Romantic Dramas (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Streetcar Named Desire, Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden); Romantic Comedies (A Philadelphia Story, Bringing Up Baby, Adam’s Rib, Woman of the Year); and Best Picture Winners (Casablanca, An American in Paris, Gigi, Mrs. Miniver).

The 12 films in these three debut sets have been honored with 32 Oscar wins. Featured stars include James Stewart, Humphrey Bogart, James Dean, Paul Newman, Marlon Brando, Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Ingrid Bergman and Leslie Caron. The films are bundled in premium keepcase packaging.

Later in 2009, the TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection will grow to include many other genres, including musicals, westerns, war films, mysteries, science fiction, horror, holiday and family films. A complete listing is included below.

Warner Home Video, which owns the world’s largest film library, is the market leader in classic DVD sales, with a 24% average market share. Warner has more Best Picture Oscar® wins (22) than any other studio and its films have garnered more than 300 Academy Awards®.

The TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection builds on the success of previous joint initiatives between TCM and Warner Home Video, including the TCM Archives series and the TCM Spotlight series. The launch of TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection promises to be successful, thanks to the considerable resources offered by both partners.

logos_TCM.jpg


WAVE ONE -- Release Date: February 3, 2009
Pricing: $27.92 SRP
TCM Greatest Classics: Romantic Dramas
Catalog #: 1000045330
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
A Streetcar Named Desire
Rebel Without a Cause
East of Eden

TCM Greatest Classics: Best Picture Winners
Catalog #: 1000045343
Casablanca
An American in Paris
Gigi
Mrs. Miniver

TCM Greatest Classics: Romantic Comedies
Catalog #: 1000045298
A Philadelphia Story
Bringing Up Baby
Adam’s Rib
Woman of the Year



WAVE TWO -- Release Date: May 5, 2009*
TCM Greatest Classics: Musicals
Singin’ in the Rain
Easter Parade
The Band Wagon
Meet Me in St. Louis

TCM Greatest Classics: Musicals 2
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Annie Get Your Gun
Show Boat
Kiss Me Kate

TCM Greatest Classics: Westerns
Jeremiah Johnson
Train Robbers
The Wild Bunch
McCabe & Mrs. Miller

TCM Greatest Classics: Westerns 2
The Searchers
Stagecoach
Rio Bravo
Cowboys
TCM Greatest Classics: War 1
Kelly’s Heroes
The Dirty Dozen
Where Eagles Dare
Battleground

TCM Greatest Classics: War 2
The Green Berets
Destination Tokyo
Battan
Back to Battan



WAVE THREE -- Release Date: September 1, 2009*
TCM Greatest Classics: Mystery
The Big Sleep
Dial M For Murder
The Maltese Falcon
The Postman Always Rings Twice
TCM Greatest Classics: Horror
Freaks
House of Wax
The Haunting
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

TCM Greatest Classics: Sci-Fi (4FE)
2001: Space Odyssey
Forbidden Planet
Soylent Green
Time Machine



WAVE FOUR -- Release Date: November 3, 2009*

TCM Greatest Classics: Holiday
A Christmas Story
Christmas Carol
Christmas in Connecticut
Shop Around the Corner

TCM Greatest Classics: Comedy
Arsenic and Old Lace
A Night at the Opera
The Long, Long Trailer
Father of the Bride

TCM Greatest Classics: Family
National Velvet
Lassie Come Home
Flipper
Incredible Mr. Limpet



*Scheduled date and titles subject to change
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post #2 of 31
11/10/08 at 7:30am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

As Nero might say, "Let the repackagings begin!"
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post #3 of 31
11/10/08 at 7:36am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles H
As Nero might say, "Let the repackagings begin!"
Yup, next time I buy any of these titles it will be on BRD or whatever HD format is available then.





Crawdaddy
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post #4 of 31
11/10/08 at 7:38am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

I was really excited until I opened up the thread and discovered they are all previously released titles.

Sigh.
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post #5 of 31
11/10/08 at 7:40am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

I hope these repackagings won't get in the way of never-before-released-on-DVD titles from Warner!
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post #6 of 31
11/10/08 at 7:41am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Warners plans for the year seems clear now.

release classics in two ways

1. unreleased titles with almost no extras at all (goodbye, Mr. chips, Far from the Madding crowd, Warner Romance Collection, Natalie Wood, Paul Newman - silver chalice etc)

2. relese previously released titles with incresingly ugly packaging.

great.
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post #7 of 31
11/10/08 at 8:08am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

A non-announcement this.

And with Greed still unreleased...
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post #8 of 31
11/10/08 at 8:51am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Warner is still putting out a lot of unreleased stuff, so I do not have a problem with bargain bundles. This just seems like an extension of their "Essential Classics" concept from last year. The only problem I had with that series is that they sometimes mixed in titles that were noticeably deficient in terms of presentation quality and badly in need of remastering such as "The Music Man".

Regards,
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post #9 of 31
11/10/08 at 9:41am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Too Bad they're not Blu-Ray, then I might be interested
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post #10 of 31
11/10/08 at 9:47am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

LAME! Who doesn't own these movies already?
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post #11 of 31
11/10/08 at 9:57am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Yes, I would have thought anyone who likes these movies enough to buy these box sets, would have liked them enough to have bought them when they first came out. But what what do I know, I'm not a marketing man.
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post #12 of 31
11/10/08 at 10:59am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

i have most of these movies...i was so excited when i saw this thread. i was hoping for jean harlow, forbidden hollywood, etc.
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post #13 of 31
11/10/08 at 11:16am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Looks like it's time to get rid of some dusty inventory in the warehouse. It's a nice idea for those who have not yet purchased any of them.
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post #14 of 31
11/10/08 at 11:38am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Man, I thought this was going to be their long awaited silent collection.
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post #15 of 31
11/10/08 at 12:21pm

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Corey
i have most of these movies...i was so excited when i saw this thread. i was hoping for jean harlow, forbidden hollywood, etc.

Yeah I was kind of hoping for the same thing! They could have done so much with this release like Jean Harlow, more Forbidden Hollywood, Esther Williams vol.2 , musicals like the Jeanette MacDonald/Nelson Eddy movies, silents and I'm still waiting for a Ginger Rogers set but no......
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post #16 of 31
11/10/08 at 12:31pm

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

They should have done this release quietly...all the big splash does is tick off people who were expecting new titles.
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post #17 of 31
11/10/08 at 12:39pm

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

What a big yawn. Only good thing about it is that the sets are pretty cheap. They'd make for good gift-giving--but to whom? Everyone already has these flicks on SD!
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post #18 of 31
11/10/08 at 1:17pm

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ethan Riley
...Everyone already has these flicks on SD!
I do not speak for Warner Brothers, but I imagine their response to this would be a dreamy eyed "Ahh. If only..."

Regards,
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post #19 of 31
11/10/08 at 2:32pm

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

At least they haven't decided to mix old titles with new, that would really drive most of us crazy. To me this looks like "The Accounts Department Collection", WHV have invested millions preserving and transferring so many of these films, that now the bean counters want a return on that investment, even if that means returning to these same titles again.
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post #20 of 31
11/10/08 at 5:35pm

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Are we sure at this late stage that there'll even be an MGM promotion, or is this assumption simply based on this past years Warner Brothers promo?

The press release listed above is "splashy" which has me kind of worried. I mean, if there was going to be an MGM promotion for all of 2009, shouldn't we be hearing something about this now? Could it be possible that the MGM promotion has become a casualty of the worsening economy?

I've got a sneaking suspicion that we won't be seeing the long awaited Silents Collection, Jean Harlow, Spencer Tracy, MacDonald/Eddy or anything of this caliber in 2009. As a few others have stated, I think WHV's big push will be to sell these sets most of us already have.
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post #21 of 31
11/10/08 at 5:37pm

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

I'm not sure I understand all the negativity in this thread. This promotion seems to be a good way to get classic films into more homes and increase awareness of same. Nowhere does the press release say this is all they are going to release in 2009.

It is no secret that WHV and other studios are having a tougher time selling classic films now so why not unload some of their excess inventory and keep the cash coming in.

As a previous poster said, they are still releasing "new" classic films to DVD. It may take a little longer for certain titles to come to DVD now, but that is to be expected given the current economy.

This is the same studio that just went all out for the HTF meet a few weeks ago for the lucky people who got to attend. Let's show them some respect and understand why from a marketing perspective this is a good idea.

Once the economy picks up and DVD sales of catalog titles improve I'm sure we'll see even more "new to DVD" titles coming.

Just my $.02

Steve
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post #22 of 31
11/10/08 at 5:44pm

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

This could be a whole lot worse. At least nobody is expecting them to pull a Universal and slip in newer transfers with the repackaged sets. Now that is annoying.
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post #23 of 31
11/10/08 at 8:59pm

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by KellyVO
LAME! Who doesn't own these movies already?

Several hundred million people just in the United States alone...., that's who!


Folks, these collections are not intended for us DVD enthusiasts who love classic films.

We are, unfortunately, a relatively small group of consumers, and a group likely growing smaller instead of growing larger, this due to the unfortunate passing of older generations, and the relative lack of interest in that which has come before them, from many younger folks.

It seems that the goal of WB and TCM is to try to attract the casual DVD buyer who may see these packages at mass merchants...and the price would be attractive to enough to warrant a purchase.

I hope their initiative succeeds....but I do not believe for a moment that this in any way, is meant to supplant their continued efforts to mine their library for those of us who are eagerly waiting for new-to-DVD classics.

Despite the dicey marketplace, I've been astounded and delighted by the great releases Warner has dished up this year, and impressed by many terrific titles that they've started to announce for next year.

Their recent gangster set is marvelous, with several titles that never even made it to VHS, and a great documentary feature disc, too. It has gotten a superb review from Ken here, but virtually no one else seems to have noticed.

I just peeked at tomorrow's New York Times, where Dave Kehr gives WB's WARNER BROS. AND THE HOMEFRONT set an outstanding review....and I intend to drop by my local BBY tomorrow morning to get a gander at THIS IS THE ARMY finally liberated from PD HELL (Kehr says it looks gorgeous).

While I mean no disrespect to those who feel differently, I feel confident that there are many other HTF members here who gratefully look forward to WB's next pre-code set, star-themed collection, or whatever else they have cooked up.

Let's hope their new initiative helps to build a larger audience for classics on DVD....which would hopefully lead to better days and more new to DVD titles from ALL the studios.
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post #24 of 31
11/11/08 at 1:47am
Thread Starter 

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Nice post, Conrad.
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post #25 of 31
11/11/08 at 3:26am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Quote:
Originally Posted by Conrad_SSS
...While I mean no disrespect to those who feel differently, I feel confident that there are many other HTF members here who gratefully look forward to WB's next pre-code set, star-themed collection, or whatever else they have cooked up...
Warner is releasing so much good catalog stuff right now that I can barely keep up with it. Just today you have Quo Vadis, Christmas Classics Vol. 2 , and The Homefront Collection. I'm practically having Sophie's Choice anxiety trying to decide which ones I can get reviewed by street date.

...and loving it.

Regards,
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post #26 of 31
11/11/08 at 4:31am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

I wonder if the edition of Jeremiah Johnson will be the old one or the previously mentioned SE?
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post #27 of 31
11/11/08 at 9:43am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Warner has released the majority of their "A" titles so most fans are waiting on "B" and "C" titles. With that said, they do still own the most loved and most wanted silent titles. I believe they've stuck their toe in the silent water twice for Chaney and Garbo. Others might be escaping my mind right now so forgive me if other titles are out there.

I've been a major supporter of Warner since the start. Even when they weren't releasing classics I was defending them against entire message boards. If they never release another classic film to DVD then they'd still get my vote for being the greatest studio to classic films fans.

Their one major problem from day one has been their silents. I'm sure the majors say they have to market and get them out there the right way but I'm sorry, just look at what Kino, Flicker Alley, Image and countless others are doing. I'm sure more people would buy GREED over something like an unknown Houdinifilm. I'm also quite certain THE WIND has a bigger crowd than WHEN TIME RAN OUT.

These releases are a great marketing plow and I'm sure thousands of copies will be sold but this still doesn't take care of their problem with the silents (or any other major studios).
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post #28 of 31
11/11/08 at 11:01am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

These sets are also ideal for Christmas.
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post #29 of 31
11/11/08 at 6:20pm

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

Ok, so let me get this straight. Warner owns the rights to RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY and does not include it in the Western Classics, but does include THE TRAIN ROBBERS. And Warners releases a set of war classics and includes KELLY'S HEROES?????? Not that it isn't a fun film, but a classic?
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post #30 of 31
11/13/08 at 9:59am

Re: WHV Press Release: TCM Greatest Classics Film Collection

I think WHV's choices can be explained in four words:

John Wayne
Clint Eastwood

Names which Joe Six-Pack easily recognizes.
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